Time to pass National Concealed Carry Reciprocity

The recent shooting at an Alexandria, Va., baseball field where Republicans were practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game was a shocking attack on our elected representatives, and called into question the safety of our nation’s leaders in a time of heated political rhetoric and dysfunction. Had it not been for the heroism of the two Capitol Police officers at the scene and officers who arrived soon after, there could have been more injuries, and even casualties among the members of Congress present that morning.

It is time for there to be national reciprocity for concealed carry permits, instead of the patchwork of laws governing reciprocity that vary by state. Virginia, where the shooting happened, has reciprocity for some states’ concealed carry permits, but if members would have brought their guns back and forth from D.C., they would have been breaking the law. It should never be a crime to be responsibly prepared to defend yourself in any possible situation.

Similarly, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has proposed a bill that would guarantee reciprocity for concealed carry permits specifically in the District of Columbia. H.R. 2209 currently has 40 co-sponsors, and was introduced the day of the shooting. This legislation is especially important for members of Congress, because while they are protected by Capitol Police while on the Capitol campus, they are still citizens who move about the city as part of their daily lives. Security details are reserved only for the highest ranking lawmakers (Such as House Majority Whip Steve Scalise) and the vast majority of congressman and senators do not have law enforcement with them at all times - neither in their districts nor in Washington. Recognizing out-of-state permits could make being a congressman or senator a much safer job, and allowing officials to arm themselves could prevent another catastrophe such as the one we witnessed just a few weeks ago.

No matter which side of the political spectrum lawmakers may fall, they have dedicated themselves to public service because they believe in America. Anyone who is willing to come to Washington, D.C., be away from their families, and expose themselves to the scrutiny of a 24/7 news cycle, does not deserve to be a violently targeted for representing the wishes of their constituents. Common sense reforms to concealed carry laws will give already law-abiding citizens, not just members of Congress, the ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights and protect themselves from those who would seek to do them harm.

Tim Schmidt is the president and founder of the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, and may be contacted at Press@USCCA.com.

The views expressed by this author are their own and are not the views of The Hill.